The door swung open.
Darius stood in the doorway, a grin stretching across his face.
"Yo!" he called out, his voice booming. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
Nero, still seated, didn't look up right away. His fingers tapped the edge of his mug, a slow, deliberate rhythm.
Klein, standing beside him, seemed to melt into Nero's shadow, but his eyes betrayed a razor-sharp alertness.
"Darius," Nero finally said, his voice calm but cutting. "You're late."
Darius let out a hearty laugh, stepping into the room. He stopped a few paces from Nero.
"Late?" He raised an eyebrow, his grin widening.
His gaze swept over Nero, head to toe.
"Funny, you've got a different face… voice too. But those eyes."
His smile vanished.
"I'm only asking once."
The air shifted. Instantly.
The heat surged, suffocating. A chill crawled up Klein's spine. He took a step forward.
"Back off," Nero said without looking at him, raising a hand slightly.
Klein froze, lips pressed tight.
